Thursday, March 24, 2016

Let There Be Trunk: 2017 Mirage G4 Is a Sedan Version of Mitsubishi’s Cheapest Car

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Hurl all the insults you want at the bargain-basement Mitsubishi Mirage, but the tinny little hatchback is bringing in its fair share of buyers. Mitsu showrooms sent 21,515 lucky folks home with a brand-new Mirage in 2015, making it the second best-selling vehicle in Mitsubishi’s lineup (behind the Outlander Sport, ahead of the Outlander), and now the company is looking to boost sales further with the addition of the 2017 Mirage G4 sedan.

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G4 apparently stands for “Global 4-Door,” and indeed, this new model is little more than a be-trunked version of the Mirage hatch. The new rear end is awkwardly proportioned and the trunk likely won’t match the hatchback’s 17.2 cubic feet of cargo space. But hey, given Americans’ relative disdain for hatchbacks, we can’t fault Mitsubishi’s logic.

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The Mirage G4 comes with the same 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine offered in the hatch, which does its darnedest to make 78 horsepower through a 5-speed manual or an optional CVT automatic. The pitiful power output at least pays off at the pump, as the sedan should share the hatchback’s EPA combined fuel economy ratings of 39 mpg with the CVT or 36 mpg with the manual.

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The Mirage G4 also shares its interior with the revised 2017 Mirage hatch, which means that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities are optional. All 2017 Mirage models also receive an upgraded gauge cluster, steering wheel, and interior fabrics, though you still shouldn’t expect a cabin rivaling the Mercedes-Benz S-Class—or even a Honda Fit, for that matter.

The Mirage G4 will cost $14,830 to start, which is exactly $1000 more than a Mirage hatchback. Mitsubishi has yet to release trim-level info on the G4, though, so it may come with a bit more standard equipment. Those looking for bottom-of-the-barrel basic transportation who can’t stomach the idea of a dorky hatchback will find the Mirage G4 sedan in showrooms this spring. We’d look at used Honda Civics, first, but the brand’s 22-percent sales uptick in 2015 suggests some buyers are motivated by new-car warranties. Mitsubishi offers 5 years on the car and 10 on the powertrain, longer than industry norms of 3- and 5-years, respectively.